REBAJESFrank (Francisco Torres) Rebajes was a mid-century modern jewelry
maker in Greenwich, New York and later at 377 5th Avenue from 1937-1960s and
his work was included in the famous "Messengers of Modernism Show". Rebajes
was both a Bohemian and a successful entrepreneur and his designs, while
reflecting ethnic motifs, we all original to him. He made not only jewelry
but plates, candlesticks, house wares and other decorative objects. In the
first few years he fashioned his pieces himself, but his popularity enabled
him to hire a staff to bring his designs to life. Rebajes also worked in
silver and, very rarely, in copper with enameling, brass and even gold. He
occasionally used objects from nature with his copper. During the Korean War
some larger copper pieces
were also lined in aluminum for ease of wear.

REBAJES open cuff and
brooch with coil motif circa 1950, 7" by 2" bracelet and 2" by 2-1/2"
brooch. This style is seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 8. Frank
Rebajes was a mid-century modern jewelry maker circa 1937-1950s, and his
work was included in the famous "Messengers of Modernism Show". It
is also in Brunialti's "American Costume
Jewelry, Art & Industry" on page 12. ViewViewViewViewView #N33508/61076

REBAJES bracelet with
leaf clasp, circa 1950, 9" total and 7" wearable length by 3/4", signed on
back of leaf. This style is seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 15
and in Brunialti's "American Costume Jewelry,
Art & Industry" on page 16. .
ViewView #N61072

REBAJES copper
leaf and coil brooch, circa 1950, 2". Copper jewelry is popular for it's
abstract mid-century modern design and Rebajes was the master of copper
jewelry.
View #N61073

REBAJES copper exotic face
brooch, a book piece that can been seen in the wonderful Jewels of Fantasy"
on page 190, 3". #N64837

REBAJES hand wrought copper butterfly brooch, 2 by 2-5/8".
This can be seen in Brunialti's "American Costume Jewelry, N-Z" page 11, and
they date it circa 1941-2, designer Francisco Rebajes. It was called "Flight
of Fancy" in one of their vintage advertisements.
View #N62308

RENOIR COPPERJerry Fels and two partners started the Renoir company in Hollywood,
California, in 1946. Originally named "Renoir of Hollywood" the name was
changed in about 1948 to "Renoir of California". During the Korean War
copper and aluminum were used together for a brief time. The mark "Hand Made
Renoir of California" was used from 1952-1954, and "Renoir" was used
thereafter. "Matisse" was introduced in 1952, with the lovely enamel on
copper look. After 1954 pieces bore the copyright mark. In the mid-50s
Renoir also did sterling silver jewelry and that line was named "Sauteur".
Renoir was closed in 1964.

RENOIR copper c-bangle with
coiled spring, 1-1/8", very light scratches inside and out. This style can
be seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 8. #N61820

RENOIR copper necklace, one piece missing, 15-1/2" by 1-1/8", bracelet
and earrings. The bracelet and earrings match and the necklace, which has a
square missing, is just similar so the necklace is included free. ViewView #N61359

MATISSE RENOIR COPPER &
ENAMEL "Matisse" was introduced by Jerry Fels of Renoir in 1952, with
the lovely enamel on copper look. After 1954 pieces bore the copyright mark.
In the mid-50s Renoir also did sterling silver jewelry and that line was
named "Sauteur". Renoir and Matisse Companies were closed in 1964.

MATISSE "Seafoam" copper and white textured under fired glass bits necklace and
earrings, necklace 17" by 3/4", earrings 1", Burkholz page 100, rare because
they were more delicate than the other enamels. #N62057

MATISSE enamel on copper necklace and clip back earrings, each marked
"Matisse". The necklace is 17" by 3/4" and the earrings 1-1/8" by 1". All
pieces are in excellent condition with only some color change on the back
side . This style can be seen in Matthew Burkholz' book, "Copper Jewelry" page 132.
View
View
View #N39418

MATISSE Peter Pan copper and blue lightly speckled enamel necklace,
bracelet and earrings, circa 1950, necklace 15", This style can be seen
in Matthew Burkholz's book, "Copper Art Jewelry" page 113 and 127. Both
pieces are in very good vintage condition with light wear on the copper only
visible on close examination. The
necklace is sighed and the bracelet is not.
View
View #N39422

ENAMELED copper necklace in a style called "Nefertiti" with white enamel
and black edges. It is 18" by 1-1/4" and is in excellent vintage condition.
View
View #N39423

MATISSE "Scarab" copper and
multi-colored cuff bracelet, about 1-1/2" wide. This style is seen in
Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 46 and the ad for it on page 125.
#N62784

COPPER with red and black enamel hinged bangle bracelet, 6-1/4" by 1-1/2" at
the front and 7/8" at the back, light finish wear on the outside, heavier
wear inside, quality heavier piece. This style can be seen in Burkholz
"Copper Art Jewelry" on the cover and on page 72 and 127.
View #N61978

MATISSE copper and deep red enamel open cuff bracelet, 6-1/2" by 1-5/8" at
the widest, some light scratches. This style can be seen in Burkholz
"Copper Art Jewelry" on the cover and on pages 72. #N62117

MATISSE Renoir "Laurel"
copper and chartreuse green enamel leaves brooch, 2-1/4". This
style can be seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 86 and was made in
different colors for different seasons. #N61939

MATISSE Renoir
"Laurel" copper and blue enamel leaves brooch, 2-1/4". This
style can be seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 86 and was made in
different colors for different seasons. #N61938

MATISSE Renoir "Laurel"
copper and chartreuse green enamel leaves brooch, 2-1/4". This style
can be seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 86 and was made in
different colors for different seasons. #N61940

MATISSE "Scarab" copper and
multi-colored cuff bracelet, about 1-1/2" wide. This piece is seen in
Burkholz book "Copper Art Jewelry" book page 46 and the ad for it is on page
125. #N65274

MATISSE copper and aqua enamel
clip back earrings in a "V" shape, very modern in style, 1-1/8". #N65269

MATISSE "Seafoam" copper and
white textured under fired glass bits necklace and earrings, necklace 17" by
3/4", earrings 1", This piece can be seen in the book "Copper Jewelry" by
Matthew Burkholz on page 100. This set is a bit more rare because they were
more delicate than the smooth enamels. #N65268

MATISSE "Scarab" copper and
white cuff bracelet, about 1-1/2" wide. This piece is seen in Burkholz
"Copper Art Jewelry" book page 46 and the ad for it is on page 125.
#N65267

RAME copper hinged bangle bracelet, twists into 2 circles, 6-1/3" by 1-5/8"
at front, excellent condition and heavier than most copper pieces. This
style can be seen in Burkholz "Copper Art Jewelry" page 145. I like Rame
because they are perfect for a smaller wrist.
View #N61838

ENAMEL green enameled and fused glass links bracelet and earrings, ,
circa 1950, illegible signature on bracelet back, bracelet 7-1/2" by 1"
earrings 1-1/4". A bracelet similar to this style can be seen in Burkholz'
"Copper Jewelry" page 139. A collector has told me that she thinks
this mat have been made by mid-century American jeweler Ruth Buol. #N62615

COPPER bracelet with orange and yellow enameled plaques, circa 1950, 7"
by 1-1/8", finish as is. This style can be seen in Burkholz' "Copper
Jewelry" page 78. #N62597

COPPER fishbone bracelet, 7"
by 1-1/2". This style can be seen in Burkholz' "Copper Jewelry" page 121.
#N62232

MATISSE RENOIR apple
earrings on their original card. "Variations in pattern are characteristic
of fine enamels. Do not polish. This exclusive Copron process insures Renoir
Jewelry against tarnish and fingermarks".
View

PLEASE NOTE:Regretfully, it
is no longer possible to respond to individual questions regarding
jewelry history, identification or value, or to offer written or verbal
appraisals or opinions. The demand for this kind of information is
absolutely too overwhelming for one dealer to fill.
I love jewelry, but appraising and selling are two
entirely different businesses, and I choose selling and research as my
business.
Instead, articles are added on a regular basis to JEWEL CHAT on line Magazine, a
wonderful reference for information on many makers and styles of
vintage jewelry.
For information on valuing your jewelry, click
HERE.